Self-acting speed-regulating device for turbines



Aug 26 1924. 15m n M. QCROZET-FOURNEYROB! saw ACTING swan REGULATING DEVICE FOR TURBINES Filed march 25 a 1922 Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES MARCEL GROZET-FOURNEYRON, OF LE CHAMBON-FEUGEROLLES, FRANCE.

SELF-ACTING SPEED-REGULATING DEVICE FOR TURBINES.

Application filed March 25, 1922.

To all whom z't may concern.

Be it known that MARoEL CROZET-FOUR- NEYRON, citizen of the French Republic, residing at 68 Rue Crozet I reres, Le Chamliondfeugerolles, Loire, France, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Acting Speed-Regulating Devices for Turbines, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to a process and a device for automatically regulating the speed of rotation of a water turbine.

In turbines the rotor generally occupies a fixed position in relation to the distributing member, but it has already been suggested to make the rotor movable in front of the distributing member, parallel to its own axis, in such a manner as to decrease or increase the cross-section of passage of the m0- tive fluid, such change-of position of the rotor being obtained with the aid of a servomotor.

This arrangement is complicated and does not seem to have been a practical success.

According to my invention, the longitudinal movement of the rotor and of the obturating member is effected automatically through the direct action of a centrifugal governor which starts as soon as the speed varies owing to variations of motive work or of the load. In consequence any increase in speed, arising from any cause whatever, immediately causes a reduction of the area of passage of the motive fluid and consequently a reduction of the speed of the rotor. On the other hand, any reduction of speed causes an increase of the area of passage of the motive fluid and therefore an increase of the speed of the rotor.

As a result, a turbine thus constructed and equipped can only rotate at a predetermined speed. This automatic regulating device only requires a very small amount of power. The travel of the rotor in the direction of its axis is, indeed, a combined movement (e. g. a longitudinal movement accompanied by a movement of rotation) and if the various forces which act on the rotor in the direction of its axis (suction, gravity, and the like) are at all times properly balanced, it is sufficient to overcome the friction of the shaft in its journals. Now, owing tothe combined movement referred to above, such friction is very small.

The accompanying drawing, by way of example, diagrammatically illustrates one Serial No. 546,879.

embodiment of' my invention in connection with a centripetal hydraulic turbine, but of course any other arrangement may be adopted to obtain the longitudinal movement of the rotor under the direct action of a centrifugal governor and the invention is also applicable to all turbines, whether they are simple action or reaction turbines of the horizontal or vertical shaft type.

In the drawing, the rotor 1, secured to the horizontal shaft 2, carries an extension which forms a kind of cylindrical slide-valve 3. The water is admitted by means of the stationary distributing member 4 arranged within the spiralshaped vessel 5 in the usual manner.

To the shaft 2 is also secured a pulley 6 to which are pivotally connected the ends of the rods 7, 7 of a centrifugal governor 13 of which the other rods 8, 8 are pivotally connected to a piece 9 capable of rotation on the stationary bearing 10, without being able to move longitudinally.

A spring 12 is interposed between the pulley 6 and the bearing 10.

The shaft 2 can move longitudinally in the stuffing-box 11 and the said bearing 10.

The pulley 6 drives a dynamo (not shown), for instance by means of a belt (not shown).

The operation of this device will be easily understood. hen the speed of rotation increases, the masses 13 of the centrifugal governor move away from each. other and cause the pulley 6, and consequently the shaft 2 and the rotor with its obturating member 3, to move in the direction w in such a manner that the said obturating member obturates more or less the passage of the distributing member 4, which results in reducing the speed of the rotor.

hen on the contrary, the speed of rotation of the turbine decreases, the longitudinal movement of the shaft 2 takes place in the opposite direction and the area of passage of the distributing organ increases, resulting in the speed of the rotor being increased.

The speed regulating action is thus automatic.

The turbine can therefore be left without attendance, and whatever the work due to resistance, whatever the variations of the height of water-fall, whatever the variations of supply the rotor will always be positioned in front of the distributing member in such a manner that, on the one hand, the power required will be supplied within the limits of the power of the water-fall, and on the other hand, the working spe3d will never either rise above normal or become reduced.

It will be obvious that various methods and forms of execution may be adopted without altering the nature of the present invention. The details of construction may of course be modified according to circumstances and the uses to be made of the device, and the various parts composing the device may be replaced by others adapted to produce the same effect.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a water turbine, the combination with the rotor, the axially movable rotorshaft and the distributing member, of a controlling member provided on the said rotor so as to rotate therewith, and a centrifugal governor adapted to axially shift the said rotor and controlling member thereby causing the latter to more or less close or open the discharge opening of the said distributing member.

' 2. In a water turbine, the combination with the rotor, the shaft carrying the same and capable of axial displacement and the distributing member, of a slide-valve provided on the said rotor so as' to participate in its rotary andlongitudinal movements, and a centrifugal governor adapted to axially displace the said rotor and slide-valve thereby causing the latter to more or less open the discharge opening of the said distributing member. I

3; In a water turbine, the'combination with the rotor, the shaft carrying the same and capable of axial displacment and the distributing member, of a slide-valve provided on the said rotor so as to participate in its rotary and longitudinal movements, and a centrifugal governor "adapted to axially displace the said rotor and slide-valve thereby causing the latter to more orless open the discharge opening of the said distributing member, a pulley secured to the said rotor-shaft, a stationery bearing for said shaft, a collar rotatably mounted on said bearing, the said governor being pivoted to the said pulley and said collar, and a spring interposed between the said said collar.

In testimony whereof he has aflixed his signature, in presence of two witnesses.

'MARCEL CRQZET-FOURNEYRON. [L. s.]

lVitnesses C. BREMIER, MAURICE GREMONT.

pulley and the 

